4 reasons to eat more fish
It seems like there’s always some new superfood we’re told to eat or a new fangled kitchen device that is going to transform our meals, but when it comes to eating healthily, sometimes it’s best to stick to basics.
One food that you can’t really go wrong with is fish, and here’s exactly why you should be eating more of it:
Your memory could improve
If you start to eat fish more regularly you could find that you’re less forgetful. In fact, the University of Alabama suggests that eating a Mediterranean-style diet that is high in fish cooked in healthy ways could reduce the chances of memory problems later in life by 19 per cent.
There’s a reason fish is called brain food, so eating more of it could help you to keep track of your keys as you get older.
It keeps your bones healthy
We all need vitamin D to stay healthy as it is vital for maintaining strong teeth and bones. Usually, our skin produces vitamin D as a natural reaction to sunlight, but there are some foods that can help to boost how much you get. This can help ensure you still get your daily dose of vitamin D during the dark winter months.
Fish is one of the best natural sources of vitamin D, which means it can help you maintain the recommended levels of it on a day to day basis. However, you need to be sure that you’re eating enough of the right fish as certain types contain more vitamin D than others.
Both adults and children can benefit from eating fish for this reason so you should definitely add it to the menu a couple of times a week.
Keeps your eyes in working order
Fish, oily fish in particular, can help to maintain your eyesight and reduce the chances of macular degeneration in later life, which is one of the leading causes of blindness. In fact, it could lower your chances of experiencing this by around 60 per cent, according to a study by the John Hopkins University of Baltimore.
It isn’t known exactly why oily fish is good for this, but scientists have suggested that it is due to the fact that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties.
Fish makes you happy
Not only is fish great for keeping your body happy, it can also help your mind. It’s known as nature’s antidepressant because the omega-3 fatty acids in oily fish help to maintain healthy brain function.
A study from the University of South Australia found that people who eat a Mediterranean-style diet that is rich in fish dishes tend to be less stressed and feel happier when compared to those who eat other diets.
This means that you could feel a boost in your mood as well as your body if you start to eat more healthy fish dishes.